DELFT, THE NETHERLANDS – Corning,Zaiput Flow Technologies and Magritek recently presented an integrated continuous processing system at the 8thSymposiumonContinuousFlow Reactor Technology forIndustrialApplications organized by Teknoscience in November, 2016 using Corning’s G1 Silicon Carbide (SiC) reactor, the Zaiput Liquid-liquid phase separator and the Magritek benchtop 1H-NMR as a process analysis technology (PAT). Working together, these technologies offer a highly intensified and integrated system for continuous-flow chemical processing and also demonstrated the compatibility and flexibility of these systems.

The Symposium aims to promote flow chemistry technology and provide the latest innovations and development from equipment providers for the fine chemistry and pharmaceutical industries. Within a short amount of time, the three companies created this experimental demonstration based on their collective knowledge of their individual systems and the ability to integrate them together. “We wanted to showcase the possibilities of integration for continuous flow chemistry and thought this was the right venue to do this,” said Alessandra Vizza, regional commercial manager of Corning Reactor Technologies for Europe, Middle East, Africa, and North/South America. “Integration was really easy as each system could be directly connected to each other.”

The chemical reaction demonstrated was a biphasic system with a phase transfer catalyst which integrated Corning’s G1 SiC reactor to allow for a high mixing capacity and chemical compatibility. The phase separator from Zaiput was installed at the outlet of the G1 reactor to separate the organic phase from the aqueous phase. A Spinsolve® from Magritek was then used on a stop flow mode to quickly analyze the chosen layer. Within ten seconds, the 1H-NMR spectrum could be obtained which allows for an accurate monitoring of the reaction processing.

“Today, the goal is not only to realize continuous flow reaction, but also to have the possibility to perform the work-up and the analytics in continuous mode,” said Dr. Yi Jiang, global business director for Corning Reactor Technologies. “Working with Zaiput and Magritek allowed Corning to not only focus on its own proprietary flow reactor technology, but also to have the capacity and the ingenuity to work on a more global approach.”

The demonstration was shown to more than 60 participants over the course of the three-day event and was the first time these three technologies were enabled in an integrated system with real chemistry.

“It was great being able to show how benchtop NMR can help in continuous processing systems to get immediate access to analytical data that can help to control the process,” Dr. Jürgen Kolz, Application and Support Manager of Magritek.

Depending on customer needs, Corning will continue to working with Zaiput and Magritek on building combined systems that will allow continuous reaction, work-up, and more effective processes.

“The symposium attendees were really impressed to see a fully integrated system that includes reaction, work-up and analytics all in very compact foot print,” said Dr. Andrea Adamo, the founder and CEO of Zaiput Flow Technologies. “The modularity of the components/technologies is a key aspect that enables the quick and easy development of integrated systems like this one which is where industry is headed.”